The Top 40 Comedy Shows of 2022 - Mark Muldoon's Comedy Diary
Published: Saturday 31st December 2022
I mean, what a year. Was there some kind of magic alchemy in the air that made 2022 such a remarkably good 12 months for comedy? Probably not: more likely to just be how many great ideas laid dormant over 2020 and 2021, quietly being worked on until clowning for a living became viable again.
For comedians, many must have felt it was hard to be noticed, lost amongst a genuine deluge of quality. For the comedy going public though, there was a true embarrassment of riches. It all made for easily the best year of comedy I've witnessed. The shows listed here all represent fantastic pieces of work, topped by an incredible show destined to be remembered as one of the all-time greats.
Where possible to still see the shows, you'll find a link.
40. Eryn Tett
Eryn Tett: Finds Her Audience, Just the Tonic at The Tron
39. Daniel Kitson
Outside, Regents Park Theatre
38. Sami Abu Wardeh
Sami Abu Wardeh: Bedu, Soho Theatre
37. John Robins
Work in progress, The Tommyfield, Kennington
36. Sara Barron
Preview, ARGComfest
35. Jazz Emu
You Shouldn't Have, Soho Theatre
34. Jo Caulfield
Here Comes Trouble, The Stand
33. Amy Gledhill
The Girl Before The Girl You Marry, Monkey Barrell Carnivore
32. Lara Ricote
GRL/LATNX/DEF, Monkey Barrel @ The Hive
Report
London run starts January
Just Trying to Help, Monkey Barrel
30. Mark Watson
This Can't Be It, Pleasance Courtyard
Report
Four tour dates left
Also on Amazon Prime
29. Gigless
Monkey Barrel
28. The Wrestling
Assembly Hall
Report
One off London event in March
27. Romesh Ranganathan + Marlowe
Hackney Earth
26. Chloe Petts
Transience, Pleasance Courtyard
25. Tarot
Cautionary Tales, Pleasance Courtyard
24. Shelf
Hair, Pleasance Courtyard
Report
London run starts 4th January
23. Kim Noble
Lullaby for Scavengers, Soho Theatre
22. Bill Bailey
En Route To Normal, Wembley Arena
21. Catherine Bohart
This Isn't For You, Monkey Barrel
20. Ivo Graham
My Future, My Clutter, Pleasance Courtyard
19. Rhys Nicholson
Underbelly Bristo Square
Nowt but Sea, Monkey Barrel
17. Sam Campbell
Sam Campbell: Comedy Show, Monkey Barrel
16. Vir Das
Vir Das: Wanted, Hackney Earth
15. Jordan Gray
Is It A Bird?, Soho Theatre
14. James Acaster
Work in progress, The Tommyfield, Kennington
13. Stamptown
Pleasance Dome
Report
Monthly London dates
Glasgow Comedy Festival
12. Olga Koch
Just Friends, Monkey Barrel
11. No More Jockeys
Pleasance Dome
10. A Christmas Carol...ish by Mr Swallow
Soho Theatre
Lost Boy, Pleasance Courtyard
8. Josh Pugh
Sausage, Egg, Josh Pugh, Chips and Beans, Monkey Barrel
7. Sara Pascoe
Success Story, Dorking Halls
Translations, Monkey Barrel Carnivore
5. Glenn Moore
Will You Still Need Me, Will You Still Feed Me, Glenn I'm Sixty Moore, Pleasance Courtyard
4. Leo Reich
Literally Who Cares?!, Pleasance Courtyard
Report
At Soho Theatre in March
3. Tim Key
Mulberry, Soho Theatre
2. Colin Hoult
The Death of Anna Mann, Pleasance Courtyard
Report
Some tour dates remaining
1. Liz Kingsman
One-Woman Show, Soho Theatre
In London's West End until January 21st
Read previous editions of this column
Mark Muldoon is also available on Instagram and Twitter, should anybody ask.
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